Pride of the Union Awards

Overview

Pride of the Union Awards
Members honored for outstanding union activism

During the CFT Convention the EC/TK-12 Council presents its popular Pride of the Union Awards.The awards offer a wonderful way to honor active members in local unions. The EC/TK-12 Council encourages local unions to enter and encourages discussion of these awards among local executive boards.

Award Categories

There are five categories in the Pride of the Union Awards that accept nominations. Locals may submit one nomination per category. The council also bestows an honorary award — the Raoul Teilhet Educate, Agitate, Organize Award. The recipient is chosen by the council.

  • Dedicated Unionist – For that unsung hero in the local who has demonstrated dogged devotion to union principles and union grunt work over the long haul.
  • Educational Issues – The local may nominate an individual, a program or a school for such accomplishments as innovative curriculum, exemplary instructional techniques, an outstanding education program, restructuring and reform successes, or effective professional development.
  • Emerging Union Leadership – We are looking for that outstanding new union leader in the local.
  • Political Involvement – This will go to a local that has demonstrated success in the areas of legislative issues, labor council and coalition involvement, COPE membership, and local elections.
  • Union Activism – This will be awarded to a CFT local that has demonstrated strong leadership in the area of teacher defense, contract innovation and negotiations, grassroots membership involvement, strong infrastructure, and general excellence.

About Nominations

If you have questions about the awards program, contact the EC/TK-12 Council.

Post

2019
Pride of the Union Awards

Raoul Teilhet Educate, Agitate, Organize Award

Juan Ramirez, United Teachers Los Angeles

Dedicated Unionist

  • Susan Kitchell, United Educators of San Francisco 
  • Ruben Mancillas, ABC Federation of Teachers
California Teacher CFT Convention

Raoul Teilhet Award: Ray Gaer
ABC Federation of Teachers

Becoming president of the ABC Federation of Teachers after the legendary Laura Rico – known for leading a successful eight-day strike in 1993 and serving as a vice president of the CFT, the AFT and the AFL-CIO simultaneously – meant people had some pretty high expectations of him, said Ray Gaer, current president.

Post

2018
Pride of the Union Awards

Raoul Teilhet Educate, Agitate, Organize Award

Ray Gaer, ABC Federation of Teachers

Dedicated Unionist

  • Sarah Auwarter, Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers
  • Doug Emery, Petaluma Federation of Teachers
Post

2017
Pride of the Union Awards

Raoul Teilhet Educate, Agitate, Organize Award

Betty Forrester, United Teachers Los Angeles

Dedicated Unionist

  • Gemma Abels, Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers
  • Nancy Altman, Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers
Post

2016
Pride of the Union Awards

Raoul Teilhet Educate, Agitate, Organize Award

Kimberly Claytor, Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers

Dedicated Unionist

  • Leonore Bello, ABC Federation of Teachers
  • Laura Burciaga, United Educators of San Francisco
Post

2015
Pride of the Union Awards

Raoul Teilhet Educate, Agitate, Organize Award

Robert Chacanaca, Santa Cruz Council of Classified Employees

Dedicated Unionist

  • Jennie Duggan, United Teachers Los Angeles
  • Richard Hathaway, ABC Federation of Teachers
Post

2014
Pride of the Union Awards

Raoul Teilhet Educate, Agitate, Organize Award

Betty Robinson-Harris, United Educators of San Francisco

Dedicated Unionist

  • Chris Davis, San Jose Federation of Teachers
  • Cory DeMars, Tamalpais Federation of Teachers
Post

2013
Pride of the Union Awards

Raoul Teilhet Educate, Agitate, Organize Award

Linda Plack, United Educators of San Francisco

Dedicated Unionist

  • Nancy Altman, Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers
  • Daniel Barnhart, United Teachers Los Angeles
Post

2012
Pride of the Union Awards

Raoul Teilhet Educate, Agitate, Organize Award

Dennis Kelly, United Educators of San Francisco

Dedicated Unionist

  • Terri Craig, Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers
  • Cathy O’Byrne Shewchuk, United Educators of San Francisco
Post

2011
Pride of the Union Awards

Raoul Teilhet Educate, Agitate, Organize Award

Margaret Shelleda, California Federation of Teachers

Dedicated Unionist

  • Melinda Dart, Jefferson Elementary Federation of Teachers
  • Donna Foster Ruebusch, Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers
Post

2010
Pride of the Union Awards

Raoul Teilhet Educate, Agitate, Organize Award

Sue Westbrook, Ojai Federation of Teachers

Dedicated Unionist

  • Kit Bell, United Educators of San Francisco
  • Ria Benbow, Azusa Federation of Adult Educators
Post

2009
Pride of the Union Awards

Raoul Teilhet Educate, Agitate, Organize Award

George Martinez, Greater Santa Cruz Federation of Teachers

Dedicated Unionist

  • Jean Bain, Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers
  • Chris Baldwin, Santa Cruz Council of Classified Employees